The charge indicates justice officials believe the killing was a planned and premeditated act rather than something spontaneous or unintentional.

Madison Blossom McKay, 22, was struck by a vehicle around 5 a.m. and taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead. No other details about the incident have been provided by the RCMP. Owens is being held in custody without bail.

First-degree murder is the most serious charge in the Criminal Code and carries a mandatory life sentence with no chance of parole for at least 25 years on conviction. The charge is rarely laid in Manitoba homicides because of the high standard of proof required by law.

Homicides involving vehicles are also unusual, although this marks the second such incident in the province in two weeks.

Leevan Johnson Harper, 19, of Wasagamack First Nation was run down on May 29 in that community.

Trevor Ronnie Knott, 18, has been charged with second-degree murder and remains in custody without bail.

Police say Knott and Harper were known to each other and had been "socializing" prior to the incident.